Matt Carthy
Ceist:645. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated annual cost of recruiting 500, 1,000 and 1,500 gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37438/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (645)
Freagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
Private Security Authority
Ceisteanna (646)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:646. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of the anomaly in the Private Security Authority guidelines (details supplied); if consideration has been given to amending such guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37462/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The guidelines issued by the Private Security Authority (PSA) on identity badges are intended to help licence holders and their employers understand the legal requirements on the wearing of identity badges issued by the PSA.
These guidelines reflect the requirements set out in section 30 of the Private Security Services Act 2004 that an identity badge should clearly indicate the licence number of the licensee and that when worn it must be clearly visible.
While there is not an anomaly in the guidelines, in that there is no deviation from what is standard or expected given the legislative provision, I appreciate that visual cues such as identity badges may not be accessible to the visually impaired.
I am assured by the PSA that they would expect security professionals to be identifiable as a matter of respect and equality at the request of a person who has a visual impairment.
The PSA has further advised me that it will review the guidelines so as to achieve this.
Cybersecurity Policy
Ceisteanna (647)
Joanna Byrne
Ceist:647. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for details on the running costs of the cyber security centre, including staff, and details of future funding required to ensure the centre is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37468/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the lead government agency on cyber security. Its primary role is to monitor, detect and respond to cyber security incidents of all types in the State, and to lead in the management of major cyber security incidents across Government.
The NCSC has an annual non-pay budget of €10.7 million, comprising of €7.9m current and a €2.8m capital. This budget allocation is used to fund NCSC operations and delivery of its key objectives.
The NCSC has 76 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff with sanction to increase to 108 this year. The continued growth of the NCSC reflects the constantly evolving threat landscape, and importance of a resilient national network
Future funding and resource requirements with projected outcomes will be addressed in the upcoming estimates process for 2026.
Question No. 648 answered with Question No. 643.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (649)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:649. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a detailed list of the supports available to a group in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37557/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department has worked closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) facilitates the planned resettlement of UNHCR registered refugees to Ireland from countries of first asylum. It was established by Government decision in September 2015 as a key part of Ireland’s response to the global humanitarian migration crises.
The IRPP is a distinct programme of tailored supports for at risk UNHCR registered refugees who have been selected for re-settlement to Ireland, including through the Community Sponsorship Programme which the Deputy's additional information refers to.
Arrivals under the programme have been through resettlement, which has primarily concentrated on Syrian nationals up to this point, and separately the humanitarian admission of Afghan nationals arising from the Taliban takeover in 2021.
While events in Gaza are being kept under constant review, there are no current plans to expand the Programme at this time.
Family Reunification
Ceisteanna (650)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:650. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of the application for reunification of persons (details supplied). [37597/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that based on the information supplied, it has unfortunately not been possible to locate the application for the person referred to.
As an Oireachtas member, you can request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
If the Deputy can supply the below information to the Oireachtas Mail facility my officials will be happy to re-examine this request.
• First / given name of each applicant
• Family / surname of each applicant
• Date of birth of each applicant
• Application number for each application
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (651)
John McGuinness
Ceist:651. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of candidates from the 2022/2023 recruitment campaign that are still waiting to be called for training in Templemore; if the candidates from the 2024 campaign have commenced training; if so, the number involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37603/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (652)
Rory Hearne
Ceist:652. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the status of visa applications for a sporting group (details supplied); the steps being taken by his Department to assist the group given the error made by the relevant embassy; when a decision will be made on the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37663/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that I am informed that a decision on these applications will issue shortly.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications. Some applications can take longer than others if the Visa Office needs to seek further information.
Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete. It is important to note that when minors are seeking to travel to Ireland, a Visa Officer must be satisfied that the children are travelling in the company of their parents or an appropriate guardian. Documents such as birth certificates and consent letters are regularly requested to establish the relationship between a child and the adult they are travelling with. My Department publishes advice on travelling with children and the documents which may be requested at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/at-the-border/travelling-with-children/
Fines Administration
Ceisteanna (653)
Emer Currie
Ceist:653. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of individuals issued fines for illegally parking in a disabled parking space from 2023 to date; the number of individuals that paid the fine within 28 days; the number of individuals that paid the fine following the 28-day period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37677/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the below table provides a breakdown of the number Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) issued for the offences of parking or stopping in a disabled parking bay, those paid within 28 days of date of notice, those paid after 28 days, and the number that remain unpaid as of 8 July 2025.
|
Year |
FCNs Issued |
Paid Within 28 Days |
Paid After 28 Days |
Unpaid |
|
2023 |
4,257 |
2,679 |
383 |
1,195 |
|
2024 |
4,819 |
3,102 |
445 |
1,272 |
|
2025 |
2,885 |
1,903 |
140 |
842 |
All information contained above is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Processing System as was available on 8 July 2025 and is liable to change.
Fines Administration
Ceisteanna (654)
Emer Currie
Ceist:654. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of individuals issued fines for misusing a disabled parking badge from 2023 to date; the number of individuals that paid the fine within 28 days; the number of individuals that paid the fine following the 28-day period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37678/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (655)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:655. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a specific timeframe for when the backlog will be cleared and finished for the remaining old paper citizenship applications; and when exactly these remaining paper applicants will be notified of a citizenship decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37689/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
In the recent past, there was a backlog of older cases due to the legacy of Covid-19 and the previous paper-based nature of applications. I can advise the Deputy that Citizenship Division have put in place a dedicated team to the processing of these applications and a significant number of these applications have received a decision in the last month. Citizenship Division continue to work to finalise all remaining applications.
It is important to note that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some international checks can take a considerable amount of time, and these are largely outside of the control of my Department.
Citizenship Division have also taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times. The median processing time for a decision on an application in 2024 was 8 months. This is a significant improvement from the median processing time of 15 months in 2023, 19 months in 2022, and 24 months in 2021.
I expect that going forward, the majority of applicants will continue to receive a decision within one year.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
Deportation Orders
Ceisteanna (656, 657, 658)
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:656. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if part of a hotel complex (details supplied) is now a holding and detention centre for those awaiting deportation; if a coherent policy in terms of whether those awaiting deportation at IPAS centres are allowed to roam free or are they locked into a hotel room 24-hours-a-day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37701/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:657. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if IPAS detainees being held pre-deportation or pending prison transfer can legally be held in hotels (details supplied) given that this is not purely accommodation, rather quasi-detention and likely falls outside the “hotel emergency reception” exemption and would be considered unauthorised development unless retrospective planning permission is granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37702/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:658. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the public consultation on safety and security protocols, or impact assessments that has been completed for deportation order recipients to be accommodated at hotel IPAS centres; what is planned in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37703/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 to 658, inclusive, together.
I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
The enforcement of deportation orders, and the detention of people prior to their removal, is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. A person who is the subject of a deportation order may be detained under Section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999 for up to 56 days for the purpose of ensuring their deportation from the State. An application to extend this period of detention must be made to the District Court.
The prescribed places of detention for this purpose are contained in the Immigration Act 1999 (Deportation) Regulations 2005 and are: Castlerea Prison, Cloverhill Prison, Cork Prison, Limerick Prison, Midlands Prison, Mountjoy Prison, and Wheatfield Prison, as well as all Garda Síochána stations. In practice, not all of these locations are in regular use for this purpose.
The State is currently leasing the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre as a transit hub and accommodation centre for Ukrainian citizens and people seeking international protection. Government recently provided approval for the State to purchase the site and continue its use for this purpose.
This site is not a prescribed place of detention under the Immigration Act 1999 (Deportation) Regulations 2005.
While some people currently resident in this facility, or in other IPAS accommodation centres, may be the subject of a deportation order, it is not the case that they are being detained in those locations or those facilities. The purpose of IPAS centres remains to provide accommodation to people who have entered Ireland seeking protection.
Question No. 657 answered with Question No. 656.
Question No. 658 answered with Question No. 656.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (659)
Joe Cooney
Ceist:659. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of simple possession searches for drugs undertaken in each Garda division for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024; the number of drugs sale and supply searches undertaken in each Garda Division for 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37706/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tackling drug dealing and organised criminal activity remains a top priority for the Government and my Department. An Garda Síochána continues to implement Operation Tara across the country, which focuses on disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking networks at all levels.
Significant resources have been committed to this effort, including an unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion to An Garda Síochána in Budget 2025.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is only one structured incident type available on the PULSE system in relation to drug-related searches – Search under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977/1984.
This incident type includes searches for both simple possession of drugs and possession for sale or supply. It is not possible to disaggregate the figures, as these categories are not recorded separately on the Garda system.
A breakdown of the number of searches recorded under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977/1984 by Garda Division for years 2022, 2023 and 2024 is provided in the table at the link below.
I am further informed that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) publishes recorded crime data at Garda Division level, including incidents of possession of drugs for sale or supply, covering the period from Q1 2023 to Q1 2025. This information is available on the CSO website: data.cso.ie/
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (660)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:660. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 582 of 1 July 2025, if he will clarify that checks into an applicant’s background include checks against a criminal database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37716/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
As part of the naturalisation application process, an applicant is required to detail any offences they have, regardless of where an incident occurred, or how long ago.
All adult applicants are required to undertake the Garda e-vetting process, or any other police vetting processes as deemed necessary by the Citizenship Division.
All applicants are required to satisfy the good character criterion under Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.
Additionally, as part of this assessment, An Garda Síochána make enquiries into each applicant’s background; the detail and extent of which is a matter for An Garda Síochána. For sound operational reasons, it is not the practice to comment on the enquiries that may be conducted.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (661)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:661. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to examine the case of a person (details supplied). Can he confirm if the department contacted the applicant because to date the applicant has received no contact, referring to question: 573 and question ref: 35712/25. [37717/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Further to Parliamentary Question 573 of 01 July 2025, I can inform the Deputy that there were duplicate accounts for the person cited on my Departments Customer Service Portal. This issue has been identified and resolved by officials in the Immigration Service and they have subsequently contacted the person concerned.
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
Departmental Budgets
Ceisteanna (662, 663)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:662. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a detailed breakdown of the revised budgetary allocations now falling under the remit of his Department following the recent transfer of functions relating to immigration and integration from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37739/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:663. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any portion of the €2 billion Contingency Reserve Fund—of which 48% was previously allocated to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality—has now been reallocated to his Department following the recent functional transfer; if so, to outline the purposes for which those funds are intended to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37741/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 663 together.
A detailed breakdown of the budgetary allocations in my Department following the recent transfer of functions from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), can be found in the Revised and Further Revised Estimates Volumes for the Public Service.
These documents are published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/the-revised-estimates-volumes-for-the-public-service/
Funding previously provided to DCDE from the Contingency Reserve Fund which related to International Protection Accommodation Services and Ukraine, transferred to my Department as part of the transfer of functions. The total transfer pertaining to contingency funding in 2025 was €1,760m, which continues to be used to meet costs associated with providing emergency accommodation supports for beneficiaries of temporary protection who have fled the war in Ukraine and applicants for International Protection in Ireland.
Question No. 663 answered with Question No. 662.
Departmental Budgets
Ceisteanna (664)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:664. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he intends to ring-fence any specific funding for integration support measures within the justice sector or its affiliated agencies following the assumption of responsibility for immigration and integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37742/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department runs a number of funding schemes under which the budgets are ringfenced for migrant integration in Ireland.
This year, €3.5 million has been ringfenced for the 2025 Integration Fund, which was launched on 3 July, and remains open for applications until 31 July. The Integration Fund combines the two funds previously known as the International Protection Integration Fund and the Communities Integration Fund. More information on this fund and how to apply is available at: www.gov.ie/integrationfund
Separately, the National Integration Fund (NIF) is a multi-annual funding call which supports communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants and is open to organisations operating at regional and national level.
NIF 2023 results were announced in April 2024, with 18 projects being awarded grants with a combined total of over €2.8 million over a three-year period. The next iteration of NIF is intended to be announced in 2026.
The Department also manages two EU funding schemes aimed at migrant integration. Firstly, the Department is the managing authority for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
AMIF provides a range of supports for international protection applicants, programme refugees, Beneficiaries Of Temporary Protection and other third country nationals arriving in Ireland.
Last year, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, which at the time was managing authority for AMIF in Ireland, awarded €10 million to 17 successful projects arising from an Open Call for Proposals to fund projects providing reception and integration supports to third country nationals for a four-year period.
The second EU funding scheme to assist migrants is the Integration and Employment of Migrants stream of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027 programme. This activity is aimed at legally resident migrants who are experiencing barriers to participation and employment because of language difficulties, lack of training or social exclusion.
In 2022, seven projects were approved total funding of €2.7m for a three-year period under this programme. These projects are scheduled to conclude later in 2025, when a new round of funding will be announced.
Departmental Functions
Ceisteanna (665)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:665. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the oversight and accountability mechanisms his Department is putting in place to ensure transparent expenditure and effective governance in relation to the immigration and integration functions transferred from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37743/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system has had to rapidly grow by almost 400% over the last four years, as application numbers increased rapidly from 2022 onward.
This necessitated urgent commissioning of a wide range of accommodation options across the country to meet need and avoid the serious risk of homelessness for people without support or a network here in Ireland.
This function transferred to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on 1 May 2025.
There is extensive oversight within the Department of all aspects of the accommodation commissioning process, and these processes have been improved incrementally over the last three years.
In terms of the appraisal of external providers making offers of accommodation for use, the Department carries out due diligence including checks on the provider via the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to ensure compliance with CRO requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
All commercial offers are appraised by a dedicated team according to a range of factors. These include the site and its potential, value for money to the State, due diligence on the provider, and planning and regulatory matters. Consideration is also given to the location in relation to access to services and health, wellbeing and security factors.
Part of the appraisal process for a new contract includes review of the property’s services and compliance, and this done in conjunction with the Local Authority where relevant.
In all instances where the Department enters into a contract with an accommodation provider, the onus is on the provider to ensure all activities at the property are within legal limits, including health and safety, fire, planning and building compliance.
Standard procedures have been developed and documented for all aspects of the process including contracting, inspections, contract renewals, and compliance.
There is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments, with details of all payments over €20,000 and the recipients published quarterly online at Gov.ie. All expenditure relating to this service is subject to review by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Family Reunification
Ceisteanna (666)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:666. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department will communicate with a person (details supplied) in order that their passport be issued as soon as possible, as the family has submitted all documents needed over the past few months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37745/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department requested further documentation from the person cited on a number of occasions. This information was recently received and the application can now proceed.
The person concerned can check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.